Sunderland accept deal for Younes Kaboul

The French defender is set to leave the Stadium of Light.

Younes Kaboul in action for Sunderland last season | Photo: Getty Images

Sunderlandhave announced that they have agreed a deal with fellow Premier League club, Watford for central defender, Younes Kaboul.

Time to move back to the capital

The central-back only moved to Wearside last summer, from North London side Tottenham Hotspur, and impressed many especially during the second half of the campaign alongside Lamine Kone, who proved vital to the club's eventual top-flight survival.

However it does seem that his time at the Stadium of Light has come to an end, with personal reasons proving the reason behind his imminent move, and Vicarage Road looks to be the likely destination.

A Sunderland statementread: "Sunderland AFC can confirm that it has accepted a bid from Watford for Younes Kaboul."

It continued, "Younes had spoken with David Moyes in recent days, expressing his desire to leave the club for personal reasons."

The statement added: "The club therefore agreed to a request from the player’s representative to be allowed to speak to Watford regarding a move."

The Black Cats confirmed that, "An agreement has been reached between the two clubs and the player has been given permission to talk to Watford regarding personal terms."

Not an easy situation

Sunderland's defensive situation has proven quite a frenzy so far this summer, with Papy Djilobodji, Donald Love and Paddy McNair all joining the side. However the rumours of a exit for Kone, and Kaboul's imminent exit, could lead to a rocky summer for David Moyes, and Kaboul admitted that it hasn't been a easy decision to make.

Kaboul told safc.com: “This is not an easy situation for me, but the club and manager have shown an understanding of my personal circumstances and I am grateful for that."

He admitted, "The Sunderland fans have supported me fantastically well since I came to the club, they gave me my passion back and I sincerely thank them for that,"

The 30-year-old concluded, "I hope they understand that I have made this incredibly difficult decision for me."

Sunderland will take on Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, August 21 with kick-off at 1:30pm BST.